About Nick

I am an experienced mediator, having conducted several hundred mediations as mediator, in a variety of subject areas, across England & Wales since 2004.

 

These have ranged in value from disputes in tens of thousands to multi-million pound disputes. Some were relatively straightforward issues, some very complex. All of the disputes I have dealt with have been important to the parties. I bring the same level of effort and commitment to every case I deal with.

 

I am able to bring a rounded perspective. My career is dispute resolution. I have been a partner in a law firm since 1996, and in legal practice I represent parties in commercial disputes bringing and defending cases. I also sit as a part-time Deputy District Judge dealing with a wide range of civil disputes for individuals and businesses. I therefore bring practical experience gained as a mediator, a representative, a business owner, and as a judge.

 

The role of mediator is to try and help the parties to reach an agreement. This often involves adopting different approaches with different parties and their representatives. Sometimes parties need help to think through things, and sometimes they need to be challenged or look for suggestions as to a way forward. I adapt my approach accordingly. I enjoy working with parties and their representatives to try to solve the problem.

 

I always aim to build a good working rapport with the parties and their advisers, starting at an early phase. I have often been told that I am able to produce a positive atmosphere that is conducive to settlement. I hope so.

 

The vast majority of the cases I mediate are resolved. Some cases need further effort after the mediation day to get them over the line. Sometimes mediation is a longer process and not just a one day shot at resolution.

 

I am listed in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners independent guides as a recommended mediator in the UK.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your requirements.

Professional Background

Nick qualified as a solicitor in 1993, and has been a Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution in a regional law firm since 1996. He is named as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 and Chambers Guide for Dispute Resolution.

 

As a lawyer Nick continues to advise and represent clients on a wide variety of disputes, and has acted in litigation to Court of Appeal level. His role as an equity partner also means that he has a thorough and practical understanding of commercial issues in running a business.

 

As well as holding a law degree, Nick also holds a Master’s Degree in Advanced Litigation and was appointed a Deputy District Judge (Civil) on the Wales circuit in 2010. He is also a member of the Law Society Civil Justice Committee. He is also the Law Society representative on the Civil Justice Council Judicial ADR Liaison Committee, a body set up to consider the use of ADR in the civil justice system.

 

A committed advocate of the benefits of mediation, Nick was a non-executive director of ADR Net Limited for 5 years and spoke at the ADR Group national conference on several occasions. Nick is a founder member of Hexagon Mediation, and is listed in both the Chambers & Partners Guide and Legal 500 as a recommended mediator.

 

Nick is also a member of the Civil Mediation Council.

Publications & Training

As well as acting as a trainer to several hundred solicitors on professional and commercial topics, Nick regularly speaks at seminars and other events on a variety of dispute topics, including mediation.

 

Nick has also been a speaker on ADR topics for the law Society, has spoken at the ADR Group national conference, and has written papers for its membership.

 

Nick is also a contributor to blogs for Hexagon Mediation.

Mediation areas:

  • Commercial contracts
  • Company
  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Employment
  • Franchise
  • Government
  • Insolvency
  • Insurance
  • IT
  • Intellectual Property
  • Partnerships
  • Probate / estates
  • Property
  • Professional negligence
  • Professional insurance
  • Regulatory
  • Shareholder
  • Transport
  • Trusts

Mediation experience

Nick has conducted a large number of mediations since first training as a mediator in 1998 in a wide range of areas of dispute, including the following:

  • High value (above £10 million) claim by company against former shareholder and director regarding claims brought against him for alleged wrongdoing in High Court proceedings.
  • A number of disputes arising out of Wills and inheritance issues, including claims under the Inheritance Act and disputes involving the validity of dispositions and trusts.
  • Complex three party dispute relating to nuisance claim brought by individual against two large companies.
  • A number of disputes regarding TOLATA issues between former co-habitants.
  • Professional negligence claims against solicitors and accountants.
  • Property disputes relating to competing claims for land
  • Various intellectual property disputes concerning patents, design rights and confidential information, including a mediation where one party was based overseas attended via Skype.
  • Dispute between a company and a local authority relating to a high value contractual dispute for services to be provided to the local authority.
  • Technical dispute regarding the provision of high value audio visual conferencing facilities to a leading conference venue leading to High Court proceedings. Case resolved shortly after mediation day, following further involvement by mediator.
  • Dispute between a group of residential tenants against landlord’s agent regarding service charge applied in relation to their properties. Case part resolved at mediation, with an agreed process to determine remaining issues leading to overall resolution.
  • Disputes between occupiers of neighbouring properties regarding property.
  • Dispute between individual, local authority and insurance company regarding issues arising from individual’s Council property. Court proceedings underway. Case resolved at mediation.
  • Dispute in relation to commercial contract dispute relating to the alleged defective supply of goods worth £3million between two companies. Case resolved at mediation.
  • Several mediations between private companies and sales agents in relation to claims for unpaid commission and compensation payments. Cases all resolved at mediation.
  • Dispute between insurance company and private company in relation to commercial contract relating to provision of insurance to third party. Case resolved at mediation.
  • Technical and construction dispute regarding the fitting out of nightclub and leisure facilities in London.
  • Several mediations relating to claims by employers against former employees for breach of restrictive covenants and allegations of breach of implied terms of employment.
  • Land dispute between local authority and airport operator
  • Disputes concerning agricultural land and related issues
  • Dispute between local authority and commercial tenant
  • Various commercial disputes between businesses, appointed in cases where the parties were represented by lawyers and in direct appointments
  • Disputes between financial advisers and their clients regarding alleged deficient investment advice

Testimonials

  • ““I was impressed with Nick Parker’s energetic, hands on approach and his willingness to get to grips with the issues, challenge the parties and ask uncomfortable questions. He played an active part in helping the parties achieve a reasonable settlement. One of the best mediators I have seen.”

  • “Nick’s communication before, during and after the mediation was first class. The dispute which related to the breakdown of a trading relationship which had lasted over 25 years had become lengthy and extremely hard to resolve. After a day of mediation and weeks of close contact from Nick, the parties reached an amicable resolution. I am confident that without Nick’s determination this would not have happened.” to any other Local Authority or indeed any party going through a contract dispute.”

  • “Mediation was a new venture for us and Nick explained the process in a very clear manner he answered the questions that were posed to him making us feel at ease. He had read the very detailed information that had been given to him and his grasp of the case was outstanding, both parties were very entrenched in their positions with very little room to move, or so we thought. He reminded us all that mediation could achieve a solution that the court could not order allowing for some ‘out of the box’ proposals for discussion at the mediation. The mediation achieved a more realistic assessment of the case by the Claimant resulting in a substantial drop in the amount claimed. I would highly recommend”

  • “Many thanks for your cool and calm help with this, much appreciated, and I was very impressed with the way you managed the day and the subsequent negotiations.”

  • “Thank you Nick for not giving up on settlement and you hard work towards a result”

  • “Nick a great mediator and facilitated settlement in an extremely difficult situation.”

  • “Nick did exceptionally well with parties who started the process a long way apart. I was not optimistic about a successful mediation, but Nick’s measured and thoughtful approach achieved an outcome which was genuinely better for both sides. I would highly recommend him for his style and the mediation skills he has.”

  • “Nick was really approachable and worked very hard on the day to manage the parties expectations and enable them to reach a settlement earlier in the day than I have ever managed before with a mediation. I would recommend his services as a mediator to others without hesitation.”

  • “Nick was both firm and sympathetic throughout the mediation and provided a skilled and patient service which enabled a reasonable settlement to be achieved.

  • “Thank you again for your hard work during the mediation, for which my client and I are very appreciative. I will undoubtedly call upon you again and have already recommended your services to other solicitors.”

  • “I must praise you for your professionalism and advice in this matter. This was what I thought would be a failed exercise but due to your pragmatism you pushed us together to wisely settle the matter. Thank you once again.”

  • “Nick Parker proved to be an excellent mediator, involved with a difficult and complex inheritance tax claim”

  • “I must praise you for your professionalism and advice in this matter. This was what I thought would be a failed exercise but due to your pragmatism you pushed us together to wisely settle the matter.”

  • “Nick managed to help us to reach a settlement in a case that I was not convinced would settle without the court’s intervention. My clients are delighted!”

  • “Nick handled the mediation with ease. He was extremely professional throughout, whilst making everyone feel relaxed, which no doubt assisted the parties in reaching the settlement that they did. He got to grips with the issues without any problems, encouraging the parties to focus their attention on the key areas of dispute. I wouldn’t hesitate using Nick again.”

  • “I have already referred Nick to a colleague for a mediation. I and my client were grateful for Nick’s on-going help following the close of the mediation”

Mediation Matters